Tips For Maintaining A Good Attorney-Client Relationship

Law Blog

When you hire an attorney to help with a legal issue, you need to maintain a good attorney-client relationship to ensure your attorney can achieve the results you want. Attorneys are expect to act in accordance with various ethics and codes that control how clients are treated. However, it takes two to make a good working relationship, so there are some things you can do to ensure things go smoothly. 

1: Be Honest

Honesty really is the best policy, especially when comes to legal matters. If you are honest and readily disclose all the facts of your case, it helps the attorney represent you in court. If you leave out details, it can hurt your case -- especially if the information you've left out comes out in court, blindsiding your attorney. 

2: Do What Is Asked Of You

Lawyers take on the brunt of the work, but they do ask for cooperation from their clients to ensure the case goes smoothly. If you do what is asked of you, it helps your lawyer prepare your case. Generally, your tasks are simple.

  • Return phone calls from your lawyer 
  • Meet deadlines set by your attorney
  • Obey all court orders
  • Show up for all appointments related to your case
  • Let your lawyer know immediately about any changes that might affect your case

3: Always Follow Your Lawyer's Advice

Your lawyer is there to advise you as well as represent you in court, if necessary. For this reason, always follow your lawyer's advice. Depending on the case and the circumstances, your lawyer may advise you to avoid talking with anyone about your case, even family members. If you do not follow these legal rules, it can ruin the outcome of your case. Your lawyer knows what he or she is doing, so don't just brush it off.

Your lawyer will suggest ways to settle your case. Be open to these suggestions. Sometimes his or her suggestions can help you avoid a going to trial. Experienced lawyers know when the evidence is stacked against you, so if they suggest a plea bargain or other solutions, consider their advice.

4: Discuss Any Problems You Have 

Your lawyer works for you, so if you have questions or concerns about something your attorney does or doesn't do, discuss it with him or her. If you are not satisfied with your attorney, you must speak up, and if you don't like the attorney's explanation, you have a right to fire the attorney and hire a new one. 

If a lawyer violates ethical standards, you can file a grievance against the attorney for misconduct. 

The relationship between you and your lawyer is important to get your case resolved as quickly as possible and with the results you desire, so doing your part to help the case is important. For more information about how a case should be handled, contact a firm like Sproule MacNaughton.

Share

21 October 2014

File Chapter 7, and Keep Your Home

Many people assume that when they file Chapter 7 bankruptcy, they will have to give up their homes and other property. This is not necessarily the case. I am a bankruptcy attorney, and I have helped many clients file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy without giving up homes, cars, and other property. When you file for bankruptcy, the property you are allowed to keep depends on your individual circumstances and the state where you live. Most states allow exemption for property you are currently paying for. This blog will guide you through that information and help you determine if filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy is the right choice for you.